St Thomas Christians
In AD 52, Apostle Thomas landed at Kodungallur on the Malabar Coast. He is believed to have established seven-and-half Christian communities. Thomas then moved to the Coromandel Coast, and was martyred at St Thomas Mount at Mylapore near Madras in AD 72. The apostle's body was buried there.
This rich tradition is associated with places, families, and celebrations. From the 16th century on, the native people as well as several European missionaries have documented this tradition. The Portuguese on their arrival to India in the 16th century explored, excavated, and found out the tomb of St Thomas.
For the last 20 centuries, this tradition is lived by a community called St Thomas Christians.
St Thomas Christians are the Christians rooted on Indian soil, and the Church is the church born on Indian soil.
They trace their origins to St Thomas the Apostle and their tradition is as old as the very beginning of Christianity.
Churches established by St Thomas
St Thomas established seven-and-half Christian communities or churches in Kerala.
The seven churches are in Kodungallur, Paravur (Kottakavu), Palayoor, Kokkamangalam, Niranam, Chayal (Nilackal) and Kollam (Quilon).
The church at Thiruvithamkode in Kanyakumari district of Tamilnadu is accorded the status of a half church.
There are different groups and denominations within the St Thomas Christians, and they together form the 'Nasrani' people.
St Thomas Christians comprise the two Oriental Catholic Churches in India namely the Syro-Malabar Church and the Syro-Malankara Church, part of the Latin Church, and Protestant and other non-Catholic St Thomas Christians.
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Church History |
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St Thomas Christians |
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St Thomas Xians today |
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